Coast Guard rescues Great Lakes cold water surfer

MARQUETTE, Mich. – U.S. Coast Guard Station Marquette rescued a cold-water surfer, Wednesday, near here in the vicinity of the Presque Isle break wall.

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued the man after receiving notification from the Marquette County Central Dispatch.

Coast Guard rescue personnel, Marquette Fire Dept., local police and emergency medical services officials located the male surfer approximately 400 yards off the break wall. Several large waves swept the man and his surfboard over the break wall into the 33-degree waters of Presque Isle Harbor where he began to paddle to shore.

The exhausted surfer was 150 yards from the shore when Coast Guard rescue personnel entered the frigid water and used a rescue rope to pull him to safety. The surfer collapsed before he reached the shore.

Coast Guard personnel transferred him to a waiting EMS ambulance and he was rushed to a local hospital.

The Coast Guard stresses the importance of cold water safety. People choosing to recreate on the water during the cold weather should be aware of the weather and conditions before participating in water recreation; never go on a trip alone, have a plan and tell someone, not going on the trip, your plan; wear the proper clothing and equipment for cold water temperatures.